New Health Care Policy Track! (see below)
Trinity College offers a Master of Arts in Public Policy for those who are engaged in preparing for careers that employ empirical and normative approaches to policy theory, analysis, and implementation. The program is also intended for those who have a general interest in the theory and practice of public policy-making.
The program typically attracts:
- persons interested in policy and planning in the public sector and in the potential impact of such planning on society
- state and local public employees
- private sector employees
The program aims to develop the skills required to articulate public issues, analyze alternative policies, facilitate the adoption and implementation of specific public choices, and evaluate their effects.
In keeping with Trinity College’s traditional emphasis, the program embodies a liberal arts approach to public policy, which stresses the importance of the economic/technical component of making collective choices, and both normative and empirical analysis of policy issues. Courses also typically draw from the theory and practice of a cross-section of humanities and social science disciplines.
Courses are offered during the evening in the fall and spring terms and during two summer terms.
Your
admission to the program depends upon your scholarly record (bachelor's degree with 3.0 GPA), two letters of recommendation, and a required writing sample. Frequently, admission is also contingent upon successful performance in specified graduate courses at Trinity College. No mathematics or other test is required for admission to the program.
You have a choice of three program tracks:
- Public Policy Studies - A track in public policy in settings that require general knowledge of and methods for analyzing and resolving specific policy issues
- Economics of Public Policy - This track has been discontinued. Please contact Prof. Fulco or Prof. Fotos for alternatives.
- Health Care Policy - A new track for those who wish to focus on the public policy, economic, and ethical aspects of the delivery and administration of health care
(A more complete description of this track can be viewed by clicking on Graduate Program in Health Care Policy.)
Public Policy Analysis - Discontinued. Already matriculated students in this track will be permitted to complete their program of study.
You need not decide immediately which track to pursue, but you should do so in consultation with the program director. If you believe that a required course duplicates previous academic work, consult the program director, since it might be possible to substitute another course for the requirement.
Tracks at a Glance
TRACK 1: PUBLIC POLICY STUDIESDegree Requirements
Students must complete a total of 11 credits (unless PBPL 801, Basic Principles of Economics is waived), including all required courses (see bel0w) and three elective courses as approved by the Program Director. A minimum GPA of 2.667 must be maintained, and a grade of B- or higher must be earned on the final thesis or project. Other academic regulations apply.
PBPL 800, Introduction to Public Policy (new course, Fall 2013)
PBPL 801, Basic Principles of Economics*
PBPL 836, Moral Theory
PBPL 828, Formal Analysis
PBPL 806, Statistics/Research
PBPL 846, Policy Analysis
PBPL 808, Public Policy and the Art of Argument
*Students are ex[ected to successfully complete PBPL 801, Basic Principles of Economics, for credit, except those students who present an appropriate undergraduate background or who perform successfully on the Economics Qualifying Examination.
Electives (2-3 credits)
Final Thesis (2 credits) OR Final Project (1 credit)
11 Credits Total (includes PBPL 801, Basic Principles of Economics)
TRACK 2: ECONOMICS OF PUBLIC POLICY (Discontinued)
This track has been discontinued. Please contact Prof. Fulco or Prof. Fotos for alternatives.
The program in Public Policy is being reconfigured. Further information will appear on this site in May 2013.
TRACK 3: HEALTH CARE POLICYDegree Requirements
Students
must complete a total of 11 credits (unless PBPL 801, Basic Principles of Economics is waived), including all required courses
(see bel0w) and three elective courses as approved by the Program
Director. A minimum GPA of 2.667 must be maintained, and a grade of B-
or higher must be earned on the final thesis or project. Other academic regulations apply.Required Courses
PBPL 800, Introduction to Public Policy (new course, Fall 2013)
PBPL 801, Basic Principles of Economics*
PBPL 891, Health Policy
PBPL 806, Methods of Research
PBPL 846, Policy Analysis
PBPL 854, Leading Issues in Bioethics, Public Policy, and Law
PBPL 8xx, Economics and Regulation of Health Care
PBPL, 9xx, Thesis/Final Project, including a practicum (2 credits)
*Students are exp[ected to successfully complete ECON
801, Basic Principles of Economics, for credit, except those students
who present an appropriate undergraduate background or who perform
successfully on the Economics Qualifying Examination. Elective CoursesPBPL 8xx, Public Policy of Health Research
PBPL 8xx, Public Health IssuesPBPL 8xx, Environmental Science and Health
PBPL 8xx, Law of Health Care
PBPL 8xx, Health Care in Hartford
PBPL 8xx, Reproductive Rights
PBPL 8xx, Health Care after 2014
PBPL 8xx, Gerontology: The Aging of America
PBPL 857, Health Care Reform Policy: The Affordable Care Act Goes to Court
DISCONTINUED TRACK: PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS
PBPL 807, Introduction to the Policy-Making Process
PBPL 801, Principles of Economics*
PBPL 836, Moral Theory
PBPL 828, Formal Analysis
PBPL 806, Statistics/Research
ECON 803, Microeconomic Theory
ECON 807, Public Finance
Analysis Application or Statistical Application
Electives (2-3 credits)
Project (1 credit) or
Thesis (2 credits)
11 Credit Total (includes PBPL 801, Basic Principles of Economics)
Community Research Project
As a matriculated Public Policy student, you also have an opportunity to enroll in an independent study that includes a research project, PBPL 950, Community Research and Public Policy. This elective course is offered in conjunction with an area nonprofit organization dealing with public policy issues and is supervised by a member of the graduate faculty. Projects vary and are available in such fields as transportation, education, legislation, health care, environmental regulation, and community economic development.